Kabul, October 21Low-flying US fighter jets buzzed over Kabul in pre and post-dawn raids today, dropping at least four bombs around the Afghan capital and producing no response from the Taliban’s air
defence.

President
of the Northern Alliance Burhanuddin Rabbani confirmed that US
forces have launched phase two of the military offensive in
Afghanistan, sending in ground troops.(28k,
56k)

India
lift jr World Cup‘Glory boys’
beat Argentina 6-1Hobart (Australia), October 21
Propelled by a brilliant hat-trick by Deepak Thakur, India’s
‘glory boys’ destroyed Argentina 6-1 to take home the junior
World Cup for the first time in the country’s hockey history.

APEC condemns terrorism
But does not back US strikesShanghai, October 21
Pacific rim leaders today condemned the terrorist attacks in America as "murderous deeds" and demanded international cooperation in fighting terrorism, although they did not endorse the ongoing US military campaign in Afghanistan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) speaks with U.S. President George W. Bush as they walk with Chinese President Jiang Zemin (R) to a family photo session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shanghai
on Sunday.
— Reuters photo

Specific action
in Kashmir
soon: GeorgeOn Board IAF Plane, October 21The government is finalising a “specific plan” to stamp out the Pakistan-sponsored proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister George Fernandes said today.

New Delhi, October 21Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said that the communication gap between the BJP and the government was needed to be addressed and asserted that there was absolutely no contradiction in strengthening the party while being a part of the NDA.

Mr L.K. Advani, Mr Jana Krishnamurthy, President of the BJP. and Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee at the National Council meeting of the party at Talkotora Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.
— Tribune photo Mukesh Aggarwal

Veterans missing at golden jubileeNew Delhi, October 21The two star survivors of the Jan Sangh-Nanaji Deshmukh and Balraj Madhok — were conspicuous by their absence at the national council meeting of the BJP held here today to commemorate the golden jubilee of the formation of the sangh, the BJP’s parent organisation.

J&K rebels reject new PCC set-upJammu, October 21“We have no alternative but to be on the offensive.” This is the common refrain from a majority of Congress leaders in Jammu and Kashmir who have rejected a move to retain the PCC chief, Mohd Shafi Qureshi, by expanding PCC office-bearers and the executive committee to an unprecedented size.